Growing up in a small town in rural Saskatchewan, Braden Davie’s role models were his community’s nurses.
“They were leaders in our town, and I was inspired by their compassion and humanity,” he says.
Davie found his calling in nursing and developed a strong passion for leadership in the health care field. It propelled him to consider a graduate degree at the Lawrence Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing, where he completed his Master of Nursing specializing in Health System Administration and Leadership in 2017. He was also a recipient of donor funded awards, which allowed him to focus on his studies and his future.
Since that time in the program, Davie’s career has accelerated, and he is now the Professional Practice Director with Vancouver Coastal Health, leading his team of nurses during an unprecedented time for all in health care.
Shortly after his graduation and his newfound success, Davie felt a strong pull to give back to the Faculty that has helped to shape and prepare him for the complexities of health system leadership. After some exploration he realized that planned giving was the best option for him. He decided to designate a small percentage of his life insurance policy to give to the Faculty. This in turn allowed Davie to create a named fund, the Davie Nursing Leadership Award, that aims to provide financial assistance to students.
“I wanted to support future leaders in nursing and ensure that Bloomberg Nursing at U of T remains a leader in nursing education,” says Davie. “I also wanted to give back because someone did the same for me.”
Like Davie, supporters of Bloomberg Nursing can create legacy gifts, honouring the memory of a loved one, establishing a student award, or funding an area of research that is near and dear to their heart. It is because of supporters like Davie, that our students continue to be given the tools they need to succeed as future nursing leaders.
Planned giving donors, like Davie, are also recognized for their gift during life through the King’s College Circle Heritage Society. Those who choose to become members are provided with invitations to exclusive events and become part of a larger group of U of T benefactors who are making a lasting difference for students and researchers at the university.